ICONIC Season for Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Today is the day ICON the UK’s first ever double launch rollercoaster opens to the public ready to offer guests to the park a unique and thrilling new experience.

ICON launches visitors on an exhilarating journey where they will feel the same acceleration as a Formula 1 driver before twisting and turning at high speeds across the park, interacting with other rides.

2018 is set to be an ICONIC season at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. With rides, attractions and spectacular shows there’s fun and adventure for the whole family and memories that will last a lifetime. Blackpool Pleasure Beach really is the world’s most ride intensive amusement park.

To celebrate this very special day we thought we would go back in time 122 years and share this timeline of the Pleasure's Beach fantastic history.

1896
Founded by William George Bean. Amongst the first rides was Sir Hiram
Maxim’s Flying Machines which was built in 1904.
1913
The original Casino Builidng was constructed. Designed by local architect
R B Mather. Despite the name, neither this building nor its replacement was
ever intended or used for gambling, but was meant as a place of social
gathering and as an Oriental tea room.
1926
An intensive building programme took place which included the
Rollercoaster, the Pleasure Beach Express and the famous twin tracked
coaster, the Grand National.
1939
The Casino is completely rebuilt by Joseph Emberton in an art deco style.
This style defined the architectural landscape of Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
The decision to replace the previous Casino Building was part of Leonard
Thompson’s vision to transform the look of the park under one theme.
The War Years
During the war Blackpool Pleasure Beach remained open all year round,
enabling thousands of evacuees and service personnel to escape the reality
of war for a short while.
The Post War Years
During the 1960’s Britain’s first commercial monorail was built at Blackpool
Pleasure Beach along with new rides; the Monster, the Astro Swirl and the
Log Flume.
1976
Geoffrey Thompson became Managing Director and introduced exciting new
rides including the spectacular 360 degree looping rollercoaster - the
Revolution, and the UK’s only bobsleigh ride - the Avalanche.
1994
The £12 million Big One was opened. At the time it was the tallest and
fastest rollercoaster in the world.
1997
Another UK first, the £2 million Ice Blast was constructed which catapults
riders 210 feet vertically in the air.
2000
Valhalla was opened on at a cost of £15 million. The most expensive and
ambitious water rides ever to be built. Both a dark ride and a water ride,
Valhalla uses special effects which incorporate fire, water and snow.
2003
The chic, luxurious and stylish Big Blue Hotel opened in May. 2003 also saw
the 100th birthday of Pleasure Beach Chairman, Mrs L D Thompson.
2004
Amanda Thompson became Managing Director, succeeding her father
Geoffrey Thompson. Nick Thompson became Deputy Managing Director.
2007
£8 million was invested in Infusion, the world's first rollercoaster suspended
completely over water.
2011
A £10.3 million investment was made to bring the UK’s only Nickelodeon
Land to a 6 acre area in the Pleasure Beach. It features 12 themed rides
including SpongeBob’s Splash Bash.
2013
The £3.35 million Wallace & Gromit’s Thrill-O-Matic opened. With the use of
stunning scenery and amazing special effects, riders are taken through
Wallace & Gromit’s adventures. The Big Dipper celebrated it’s 90th birthday.
2015
The 72ft high, 12 seater white knuckle ride, Red Arrows Skyforce opened.
Stepping into their own Red Arrows cockpit, riders take control of the plane,
spinning and gliding in their very own display.
2018
After 5 years of planning, 2018 sees the opening of the UK’s first double
launch rollercoaster, ICON. The ride represents a huge investment of £16.25
million.